Redox-dependent hydrogen-bond network rearrangement of ferredoxin-NADP+ reductase revealed by high-resolution X-ray and neutron crystallography.

Abstract

High-resolution X-ray and neutron crystallography were employed to elucidate redox-dependent structural changes in ferredoxin-NADP⁺ reductase (FNR) from maize. This study focused on the rearrangement of hydrogen-bond networks upon FAD reduction. The X-ray structures of wild-type FNR in oxidized and reduced states were refined to 1.15 and 1.10 Å resolution, respectively, revealing no large structural changes in the main-chain backbones. Neutron crystallography provided complementary insights, confirming protonation at N1 and N5 of the isoalloxazine ring and visualizing hydrogen bonds that were undetectable by X-ray analysis. These findings illuminate the dynamic reorganization of water-mediated hydrogen-bond networks during redox transitions, which may underpin the redox-dependent modulation of partner binding by FNR. This integrated structural approach highlights the synergistic use of X-ray and neutron crystallography in studying redox-active proteins.